By Matt Schulz
FANSonly.com

SHREVEPORT, La. -- So much for doubts about Marshall's ability to play with the big boys.

The 12th-seeded Thundering Herd shut out No. 5 seed Tennessee for more than three quarters and then held on -- barely -- to knock off the defending national champion Vols in a first-round Virtual Championship Series game at the Independence Bowl.

Marshall, led by yet another 300-yard performance by Heisman finalist QB Chad Pennington (22-of-33, 307 yds., 2 TDs, 1 INT), advances to face the winner of tomorrow's Liberty Bowl matchup between No. 4 Alabama and No. 13 Minnesota.

It was the second straight disappointing showing in the VCS for the Vols. Tennessee lost to eventual VCS champion Ohio State in last year's semifinals.

Despite the similarity in overall stats -- Marshall outgained UT by just 30 yards and three first downs -- the Vols didn't get on the board until five minutes into the final quarter. By then, they were already down 16-0.

Tennessee finally scored on a 2-yard run by Travis Henry to cut the Herd lead to nine points. The score capped a 93-yard drive that seemingly had shifted momentum to the national champs' side of the field. But it wouldn't last long.

The teams traded scores the rest of the way: A Marshall TD pass from Pennington; a Tennessee TD pass from Tee Martin to Cedrick Wilson, followed by a two-point conversion toss to Jamal Lewis; a 35-yard Marshall field goal; and finally, with 53 seconds left, another TD connection from Martin to Wilson.

However, Lewis was stuffed just short of the goal line on Tennessee's two-point conversion attempt, leaving the score at 26-21.

The Vols' ensuing onside-kick attempt then failed, dooming the defending national champs' fate and causing pandemonium on the Marshall sideline.